Moment of Meditation: Preached among the Nations (1 Timothy 3:16)

He was preached among the nations.
(1 Timothy 3:16)

"Preached among the Nations"

One of the days in the Church Year that many pastors and lay readers dread the readings is the Feast of Pentecost. Whenever Pentecost rolls around, we have the reading from Acts that lists all the places that were represented by the people in the Temple on that Day of Pentecost (2:5-11). These were people who had come from all over the ancient world. From as far west as Rome and Libya. As far south as Arabia and Egypt. As far east as Media. As far north as Pontus. They were scattered throughout the world. And they all came to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast.

But they were all chosen by God to hear St. Peter's sermon, and the sermons of the other eleven Apostles, in their own languages. Three thousand of them were baptized after hearing the sermons preached. They went back home, scattered throughout the world as they were, and began to preach to their families and friends. Jesus' secret was being preached throughout the world by the end of the year when He was crucified. Christian congregations were cropping up around the world. All because of one Word spoken in Jerusalem. The Word of Jesus Christ.

Revelation tells us of the sealing of all God's people from the four corners of the earth. The sealing in the faith as the Great Tribulation comes upon them. These are those of the great multitude who had washed their robes white in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:14). These are from "every race, tribe, nation and language". And they call on the name of the Lord for their salvation. The same Lord is Lord of all (Romans 10:12). "He was preached among the nations." Thank God that He was and that you have heard that message. Amen.